Please sign this petition if you want Facebook to respect freedom of speech.

Palestinian Activist and Photographer Hamde Abu had his personal page removed from Facebook on July 11th. Hamde was notified that has account had been suspended. He received the following message.

"Facebook is a community where people use their real identities. We require everyone to provide their real first and last names and real birthday so you always know who you're connecting with. Your account is temporarily suspended because your timeline doesn't list your real name.To reopen this account, please reply to this email stating your real name (as it would be listed on a government-issued ID like a passport or drivers license). Once we know your real name, we can update your timeline and reactivate your account."

Hamde has sent in his Full legal name along with a copy of his passport to Facebook three times, with no response.

The timing for the removal of his page for those who are following what is happening now in Palestine is suspect. Facebook did change their policies several months ago, but it was only recently that his page was taken down.

There's no telling when or if his personal page will be restored, but it is concerning that so much of the visual history he has captured, particularly in these last weeks, will not be visible or accessible to anyone.

Hamde had thousands of friends on his personal Facebook page, accumulated over many years. The importance of his work to thousands of followers around the world is immeasurable. Every picture that he had posted, has now been erased from the walls of the thousands of people who shared his photographs.

Hamde's Photography page, Photography by hamde abu rahma, is still up, but he is unable to post there with his personal page suspended. To support Hamde in the interim, please continue to share his photos from that page and sign, share and tweet the petition below.